2019 Nationals: Senior Dance Rhythm Dance

by Liz Leamy

Hubbell and Donohue Top Leaderboard

(26 January 2019) Last night, Madison
Hubbell & Zachary Donohue, the 2018 World silver medalists and 2018
U.S. Champions, lead a one-two-three leaderboard finish by the
Patrice Lauzon/Marie France-Dubrueil Montreal-based team entries in
the Rhythm Dance segment of the U.S. ice dance competition, held at
the Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit.

The degree of excellence
in this event was so outstanding that even a handful of the
employees at the Little Caesars Arena who said they had never seen a
figure skating event of this level before live were buzzing about
it.

The 12-team dance roster, comprised Hubbell &
Donohue, Chock & Evan Bates, the two-time World medalists (in 2015
and 2016) and 2015 U.S. champions, along with a host of
up-and-coming skaters looking to edge their way toward the pinnacle
of this celebrated and dominant American discipline, was
consistently strong.

Although audience attendance was somewhat
sparse at this event, (according to sources, the number of
spectators at this event totaled less than half compared to this
same event in San Jose last year) every single one of the teams
performed at an optimal level, portraying their own version of the
Tango Romantica in a compelling and technically apt fashion.

Meanwhile, the teams executed their lifts with
dizzying momentum and straight-line footwork that covered the entire
ice length as well as practically the full rink width, which seemed
to be a big ‘trend’ in step sequences this season.

The latter element, in specific, was defined by
gigantic curves in and out of each of the different turns and steps
and involved unexpected fun and creative ‘moments’ such as ballet
jumps and other things.

Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue, the 2018 World
silver medalist and 2018 U.S. titlists, who had trained in Detroit
with Pasquale Camerlengo and Anjelika Krylova for a long time before
moving to Montreal several years ago, locked in the top spot with a
84.56 and skated with fluidity, speed and terrific command of the
ice.

“We went out today and focused on being our
best,” said Hubbell. “That’s the focus in Montreal, to become the
best version of yourself.”

Chock & Bates, meanwhile, scored second with
82.33.

This duo, known for their energy, power and
flow, delivered the goods with their program, knocking out a
gorgeous lift and terrific twizzles, among other memorable elements.

Clearly excited about the quality of their
performance, Chock & Bates said they were happy to be back in
Detroit, where they had spent many years prior training with the
esteemed Igor Shpilband before moving to Montreal last summer.

Hawayek & Baker, the 2018 Four Continents and
2018 NHK champions who, like Hubbell and Donohue, had trained in
Detroit with Camerlengo and Krylova before moving to Montreal (last
spring), were third with their dramatic rendition of the Tango
Romantica and scored a 76.77.

Hawayek said it was great to return back to
Detroit to compete at this event.

“We all used to train here in Detroit,” said
Hawayek. “It’s so nostalgic when we come back.”

Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponamarenko wound
up fourth with their excellent rendition of the Tango Romantica,
racking up a 75.23, putting them in medal contention going into the
free dance.

This duo was powerful, technically apt and
artistically compelling and skated like they were card-carrying
members of this next generation of emerging premiere U.S. ice
dancers.